This study evaluated the effectiveness of donor supported agricultural value chain development projects in sustainably narrowing yield gaps for banana smallholder farmer producers in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The study us...This study evaluated the effectiveness of donor supported agricultural value chain development projects in sustainably narrowing yield gaps for banana smallholder farmer producers in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The study used a mixed methods research design that relied on farmers records for the quantitative analysis and focus group discussion and in-depth interviews for key experts for the qualitative aspects. A mix of regression analysis, t-tests, Pearsons’s correlation and analysis of variance statistical methods were used for the quantitative analysis while thematic response analysis was used for the qualitative engagements. The findings showed that by the end of the activity, the project had successfully narrowed the banana yield gaps to 18.66 tons per hectare working with a potential yield base of 40 tons. However, 5 years after the project closure the yield gap had fallen to 24.7 tons indicating a lack of sustainability of yield gap reduction. However, the yield gap slump does not override the fact that farmers on average were still able to sell approximately 5 tons per every 6 months after 5 years from the project closure which is beyond any poverty threshold. This suggests genuine upward economic mobility. Additionally, in analyzing what factors had the greatest influence on yield gap reduction, the access to fertilizer ranked highest where genetics, irrigation and improved agronomy followed in that respective order. The study further showed that farmers who receive value chain development support whilst at an already commercialized state tend to maintain productivity thresholds higher in comparison to those who are at a pre commercial state. This is evidenced by the fact that the pre commercial farmers had a yield reduction of 30.83 percent after 5 years of the project closure whereas the former realized a productivity growth of 7.84%. In conclusion, whilst the intervention was successful in transitioning farmers out of poverty, more investment should be made towards transitioning smallholder farmers to integrated soil fertility management practices and improvement of agronomic efficiency through stronger on field collaboration between research institutions, the government and development institutions.展开更多
Ethiopia is an ＂apiculture country＂ with more than 10 million honey bee colonies. Ethiopia is also a ＂honey country＂; the annual honey and beeswax production potentials are 550,000 and 50,000 metric tons, respecti...Ethiopia is an ＂apiculture country＂ with more than 10 million honey bee colonies. Ethiopia is also a ＂honey country＂; the annual honey and beeswax production potentials are 550,000 and 50,000 metric tons, respectively, with about one tenth actually produced. Since 2008, Ethiopia is EU ＂third country＂ listed for the export of honey. However, the national research system identified serious bottlenecks, such as traditional smallholder level production with very low productivity and problematic supply chain; quality issues, including adulteration; lack of access to credit; constrained input supply chain and input quality issues. This paper illustrates how quality defects have been addressed in a quality focused value chain development （VCD） approach, with focus on： creating a favorable policy ground; implementing regional, national and continental multi-stakeholder-platforms （MSPs） for dialogue; information and knowledge sharing and sector advocacy; strengthening supportive sector organizations along the value chain; networking and market intelligence, including exposition and conference organization; expansion of research centers and activities; laboratory qualification for intematioual accreditation. Many components are implemented through the largest national apiculture sector development programme called Apiculture Scaling-Up Programme for Income and Rural Employment （ASPIRE）, which transfers innovations to more than 30,000 beekeepers. Among others, ASPIRE was instrumental in qualifying national testing facilities, which in turn led to product quality improvement. However, more action is required in the fields of business-to-business （B2B） linkages, research, education and training, as well as in making so far voluntary practices mandatory. This also calls for full traceability and routine quality testing along the value chain.展开更多
文摘This study evaluated the effectiveness of donor supported agricultural value chain development projects in sustainably narrowing yield gaps for banana smallholder farmer producers in Manicaland, Zimbabwe. The study used a mixed methods research design that relied on farmers records for the quantitative analysis and focus group discussion and in-depth interviews for key experts for the qualitative aspects. A mix of regression analysis, t-tests, Pearsons’s correlation and analysis of variance statistical methods were used for the quantitative analysis while thematic response analysis was used for the qualitative engagements. The findings showed that by the end of the activity, the project had successfully narrowed the banana yield gaps to 18.66 tons per hectare working with a potential yield base of 40 tons. However, 5 years after the project closure the yield gap had fallen to 24.7 tons indicating a lack of sustainability of yield gap reduction. However, the yield gap slump does not override the fact that farmers on average were still able to sell approximately 5 tons per every 6 months after 5 years from the project closure which is beyond any poverty threshold. This suggests genuine upward economic mobility. Additionally, in analyzing what factors had the greatest influence on yield gap reduction, the access to fertilizer ranked highest where genetics, irrigation and improved agronomy followed in that respective order. The study further showed that farmers who receive value chain development support whilst at an already commercialized state tend to maintain productivity thresholds higher in comparison to those who are at a pre commercial state. This is evidenced by the fact that the pre commercial farmers had a yield reduction of 30.83 percent after 5 years of the project closure whereas the former realized a productivity growth of 7.84%. In conclusion, whilst the intervention was successful in transitioning farmers out of poverty, more investment should be made towards transitioning smallholder farmers to integrated soil fertility management practices and improvement of agronomic efficiency through stronger on field collaboration between research institutions, the government and development institutions.
文摘Ethiopia is an ＂apiculture country＂ with more than 10 million honey bee colonies. Ethiopia is also a ＂honey country＂; the annual honey and beeswax production potentials are 550,000 and 50,000 metric tons, respectively, with about one tenth actually produced. Since 2008, Ethiopia is EU ＂third country＂ listed for the export of honey. However, the national research system identified serious bottlenecks, such as traditional smallholder level production with very low productivity and problematic supply chain; quality issues, including adulteration; lack of access to credit; constrained input supply chain and input quality issues. This paper illustrates how quality defects have been addressed in a quality focused value chain development （VCD） approach, with focus on： creating a favorable policy ground; implementing regional, national and continental multi-stakeholder-platforms （MSPs） for dialogue; information and knowledge sharing and sector advocacy; strengthening supportive sector organizations along the value chain; networking and market intelligence, including exposition and conference organization; expansion of research centers and activities; laboratory qualification for intematioual accreditation. Many components are implemented through the largest national apiculture sector development programme called Apiculture Scaling-Up Programme for Income and Rural Employment （ASPIRE）, which transfers innovations to more than 30,000 beekeepers. Among others, ASPIRE was instrumental in qualifying national testing facilities, which in turn led to product quality improvement. However, more action is required in the fields of business-to-business （B2B） linkages, research, education and training, as well as in making so far voluntary practices mandatory. This also calls for full traceability and routine quality testing along the value chain.
